11.5.21 - Inspiration - Bagpuss

Something that has inspired me in this project is BBC's 'Bagpuss'.

'Bagpuss was first seen on 12 February 1974. The charming children's stop motion animation was made by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, starring the "saggy old cloth cat" Bagpuss. He lived in a strange shop - owned by a little girl called Emily - which didn't actually sell anything, but was a home for lost property. Only 13 episodes were ever made, but the programme has remained popular down the generations and was voted the all-time favourite children's programme in 1999.'
https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/february/bagpuss

One of the things I love is the rustic handmade appearance of the characters and set. They use an array of different patterns, colours and textures in the materials which all have an authentic feel - it doesn't look synthetic or artificial and I like how the mice all have little unique outfits on. The idea of lost items coming into the shop while the characters discover what they are is really heart-warming, and different types of animation are used to tell these stories. An example I included is the owl cushion which is beautifully embroidered and uses the appliqué technique that I am currently working with in my project. I'd like to be able to create more depth in mine by using different layered fabrics, threads and beads like in the owl images here. 

The references to folk-tales in Bagpuss are an important influence for my project and their presentation appeals to my infatuation with finding cuteness in everything. The narration and different voices along with the illustrative animation style alludes to bedtime stories, which I want to reference in my final piece which will include a duvet cover and possibly pillows depicting different medieval imagery.



 

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